Tytania:Volume 2 Chapter 1
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Chapter 1 – The Five Chairs
I
When a high-pitched and ear-piercing female shriek echoed, the servants of Duke Zarlisch Tytania exchanged glances in silent.
The voice had come from beyond a thick door, but the servants knew who it belonged to, as well as the reason of that scream. They had even anticipated it. In any case, knowledge and expectation only intensified their dread.
It was the 10th of August SY 446.
In the mid-latitude forested part of Ryutehi, the capital planet of the Vardana Interstellar Empire, was a lake region by the name of Calvinia where stood the estates of the Tytania clan, the rulers of the Universe. Over 30 km², forests, hills, and lakes stretched, and several magnificent mansions could maintain some privacy through an invisible wall of distance. In a corner of a mansion, Duke Zarlisch Tytania was being berated by his mother.
“Mother, please calm down. The servants can hear you.”
The son’s voice and expression were filled with bitterness. Zarlisch, one of the Four Dukes, and a magnificent man with a beautiful beard, was no match for his mother. Theresa stood some 30 centimetres closer to the ground than her son, and yet, she was spitting forcefully at him.
Duke Zarlisch Tytania, exhaled a vast amount of airs from his lungs that befitted his muscular and imposing physique. With a slight movement of his hand, Theresa could be sent soaring in the sky. Of course, such a scene would not come to pass. Theresa continued to accuse her son in a high and metallic voice. She denounced the sins of the elder brother regarding the death of the younger brother, Arses.
“Zarlisch, you were jealous of Arses. You were jealous because he was gorgeous and talented, and you let him die. Ah, he was such a fin lad, worthy of becoming a duke!”
Have I ever deserved such unwarranted criticism? asked Zarlisch to himself deep in his thick chest. Had the person in front of him been anyone else, he would have probably yelled that question aloud. But it was impossible for him to do so.
Theresa was once a beauty. Rather, if the excess fat and sagging skin caused by her unhealthy lifestyle were to be removed, even now at the age of 50 she could pass as a mature and beautiful lady. But the current sight of her sagging flesh and rippling skin was she pressed with passion on her bewildered son was all but beautiful. There was no merit to her assertions. She was merely lashing out at her son her emotions that were erupting like a volcano.
Zarlisch was pelted with blows and couldn’t stand it. Indeed, Theresa didn’t simply lash out verbally, but also grabbed him by the collar and struck him with her fat fists as she berated him. Finally, Zarlisch answered. He had no choice but to do so.
“Very well, Mother. I swear I’ll bring the despicable criminal before you. You shall punish him to your heart’s content.”
Upon hearing the word “swear”, Theresa regained some composure. Panting heavily, she glared at her eldest son with oily eyes, and finally managed to say:
“You will. If you break that promise, I’ll curse you.”
… Upon later learning about this secret drama, the mid-rank Tytanian officers were stunned.
“Why, they say that Duke Zarlisch is a literal ‘ruthless general’, but it appears that the strongest person in the Universe might actually be the Duke’s mother,” they whispered to each other as they shrugged.
They weren’t necessarily looking down on Zarlisch, but they were somewhat disappointed. The late Count Arses had been extremely unpopular among Tytanian’s subordinates and soldiers. They were also aware of Zarlisch’s strained relationship with his brother.
To put it crudely, Tytania could confidently say that Count Arses’ death was “good riddance”. Surely, a man as dashing as Zarlisch would ignore his mother’s madness and act as a public figure that befitted his ability and rank?
“That Fan Hyulick should be declared a public enemy of all of Tytania. It makes no sense to turn it into Lord Zarlisch and his mother’s personal vendetta.”
In spite of these objections, no one directly condemned Zarlisch. He was a warrior who liked to surround himself with front-line warriors, and had a staff of officers who were often described as “valiant soldiers” or “seasoned captains”. While they did have sigh standards of courage and loyalty, these virtues came with drawbacks which hindered the broadness of their perspective and the flexibility of their strategy.
They sought to accommodate Zarlisch rather than rebuke him. The sight of a group united towards a single purpose could intoxicate people like a sweet illusion. That was particularly the case for soldiers, revolutionaries, and religious zealots.
Even before Tytania’s latest policy had been decided, Zarlisch and his men had already begun operations. To hunt down a man who went by the name Fan Hyulick, and his accomplices.
“I wish to be appointed as commander in subduing these insolent rebels who have risen against Tytania.” When Zarlisch made that request, Duke Jouslain Tytania perfectly understood the situation. What could compel Zarlisch to make such a demand? There must have been some personal conflict between him and his mother.
It was common knowledge in the Tytania clan that Zarlisch’s mother, Theresa, shunned her eldest son and favoured her second son, Arses. The latter had been murdered by Fan Hyulick, an insignificant figure in the eyes of Tytania. While the anger of a mother was natural, Theresa had lost her mind, and her son was manipulated in her fury.
“It appears that even after his death, Count Arses is still causing trouble for his brother.”
Half of it was pity, half of it was absurdity. Fan Hyulick and his men had harmed Tytania twice, but they were but ants before a giant elephant, and their defeat wouldn’t do much to increase Zarlisch’s prestige. At least not now. How powerful they may become in the future was unknown. According to Tytania’s traditional Machiavellianism[1], they had to be nipped in the bud before they grew too large, but…
Jouslain wondered what stance should they adopt at the Tytanian Supreme Council meeting that was shortly due to enter in session. His senior aide-de-camp, Viscount Balamy Tytania, watched him in silence as he pondered at his desk in his office.
For Balamy, Jouslain was both a relative and his commanding officer, which already made it a considerable bother. To make matters worse, Jouslain virtually held a power of life and death over him.
Balamy’s late father, the former Minister of Military Affairs, Marquis Estrade, was the half-brother of Tytania’s supreme commander, Ajman. He had been dissatisfied with his inability to become the supreme commander, and had harboured rebellious intentions, but he unexpectedly died before he could act upon them. It was his son, Balamy, who had instigated this rebellion, and Jouslain apparently knew about it. If Jouslain ever so desired, he could have Balamy punished for treason.
But on the other hand, there was probably no superior as ideal as Jouslain. Simply by being “Duke Jouslain’s senior aide-de-camp” earned him respect, reverence, and a generous treatment. Balamy himself, as a viscount bearing the surname Tytania, was already in an envious position, and the Clanner and the Four Dukes were yet on another level.
Balamy’s delicate position had also been offset by his status as Duke Jouslain’s senior aide-de-camp. By placing Balamy in such a crucial position, Jouslain had publicly shown his trust in him. Anyone who dared to harm Balamy would need to be prepared to make an enemy of his protector, Jouslain. Just the appointment as senior aide-de-camp itself involved multiple layers of political considerations and dynamics that were characteristic of the heart of Tytania.
Balamy had recently purged the anti-Tytania faction that infested the Vardana Empire’s court and government. He had executed 26 people, who held high ranks such as minister, general, clerk, councillor, senator, or knight, sent 40 others to penal colonies, and exiled 114 along with their families. The order had come through Jouslain from Clanner Ajman. Failure to carry out this slaughter would have meant that he was unworthy of being treated as a member of the Tytania clan.
Balamy understood this perfectly. He stormed the Vardana court, wielding his invisible mighty purging scythe, and beheaded key figures of the Emperor Harsha VI, including the Minister of Justice, Herawa, and the Minister of Civil Affairs, Nunes. After that, he washed the blood from the court’s political floor, appointed replacements, amended several rules of the court, and completed the matter in a remarkably short time. For a youth of 18 years old, his skills were truly impressive.
“Viscount Balamy appears to be a useful man.”
With that declaration from Clanner Ajman, Balamy’s achievements had been officially recognised. He had been responsible for his father’s accidental death, but Ajman’s words washing him from that responsibility. In the organisation of Tytania, decisions regarding personnel were often made on the basis that past sins could be atoned for with merit, and this was an example of it. In other words, Balamy had passed his personnel assessment.
The ministers who were the subject of that test certainly ended up being the butt of the joke, but it was nevertheless true that they had been plotting against Tytania. But they didn’t necessarily did it with kind of resolve. It could be said that they had played with power and schemes as if they were toys, and were now receiving their just deserts.
“I am certainly a subordinate of Duke Jouslain. But it doesn’t mean that I’ll be subservient to him.”
Balamy lifted his shoulders. Jouslain was well aware of his state of mind, and while he found it amusing, he also held some admiration for his spirit.
II
Duke Jouslain Tytania was the guardian of the princess of the small and remote kingdom of Elbing. Her name was Lydia, and she was 10 years old. She was staying at Uraniborg, Tytania’s stronghold, as collateral for a debt, as well as a political hostage, but was a cheerful and carefree girl nevertheless. She could come and go freely, and often visited Jouslain’s office.
“Lord Jouslain, if you have some time, let’s play.”
While a woman inviting a man to play usually implied something romantic, since the inviting party was only 10 years old, it was a genuine and literal invitation to play. She would often tour the vast interior of Uraniborg along with Jouslain, but he was sometimes too busy to accompany her. Princess Lydia would then say:
“In that case, Lord Jouslain, may I observe you working? I promise not to disturb you, and behave properly.”
“Do as you please. Let me have a chair prepared for you.”
Thus, anyone visiting Duke Jouslain would be met with the intriguing gaze of the young girl seated in a corner of the room. There were some who would lose their composure under her gaze. Someone commented: “I felt like I was being dissected”. Princess Lydia, a princess with a mighty spirit within a small frame, seemed to be discerning those who might be useful to the kingdom of Elbing, and those who might be harmful. In any case, the task of looking after Princess Lydia fell upon Viscount Balamy, the senior aide-de-camp.
For Balamy, being treated on the same level as a child like Princess Lydia was unacceptable. He was a member of the Tytania clan, and the nephew of the current Clanner, Ajman. His late father was a marquis, and he himself a viscount. Inwardly, he didn’t care about some small kingdom that couldn’t even repay it’s debt to Tytania. But according to social etiquette, he had to address Lydia as “Her Highness”, and since Jouslain himself addressed her with respect, Balamy had no choice but to follow such rules.
While “Her Highness” initially addressed Balamy as “Viscount”, she eventually came to see him as a friend and equal, calling him “Balamy” and eventually shortening it to “Bal”. Balamy was extremely dissatisfied with this, but he couldn’t object or correct her every time, and could do nothing but accept it. Whenever he was called “Bal”, he would reply “Yes princess”, and continue to attend on her.
In spite of hoping to be a schemer, Balamy may have lacked the necessary temperament to be one.
Jouslain’s attitude towards Balamy and Princess Lydia clearly demonstrated his qualities as an educator. Whenever he found outstanding qualities in someone’s individuality and talent, he treated them as extremely valuable, and wanted to nurture them.
It was a honed Tytanian tradition to seek out and generously treat talented individuals. But in Jouslain’s case, it seemed he had a strong inclination towards the individuality and talent of others rather than their ideals and policies. He went beyond practical matters such as politics, administration, military affairs, finance, and economics, to the realm of academics, and supported many scholars, writers, artists, and musicians. He established a fund and entrusted its management to experts, and a certain Mr Politt, a poet of the transcendentalist school who had benefited from it, once paid him a visit to express his gratitude. Jouslain did not meet with him.
“Artists and scholars need not bow to those with power and wealth. Let them be proud of their deserved lavish treatment. For Mr Politt to go out of his way to express his gratitude for something like this, I guess he must be a materialist[2] after all.”
It is reported that when Mr Politt heard this, he blushed deeply and withdrew. The fact that Jouslain spoke in a way where he could be overheard might have been a sign of his immaturity. For one, considering his position, he didn’t want to increase the number of guests he had to receive any further.
That being said, while he treated artists with great generosity, Jouslain did not possess any particular passion or discerning eye for works of art themselves. His office and residence were adorned with works by renowned painters, sculptors, potters and furniture makers. Although the majority were gifts or offerings, their management was entrusted to one of his butlers who specialised in art and antiques, and Jouslain himself had little involvement in the process. Rather than the works themselves, it was the talent that produced these works that he favoured.
In practical terms, he used these works as gifts for dignitaries from various countries. This was why Jouslain was known as a “person who wasn’t stingy”, though that reputation was somewhat at odds with his true nature.
To Jouslain, Fan Hyulick as a rebel against the Tytania was also a great artist of his era. More precisely, he possessed the potential to become a figure worthy of being called great. Would should such a person allow himself to be killed so wantonly by Zarlisch and his mother? Jouslain wouldn’t help but lean towards the negative. That said, it was a fact that Fan Hyulick was a public enemy who had repeatedly inflicted damage on Tytania, and if left unchecked, Tytania’s prestige would be tarnished.
Jouslain was well aware of the folly of such a thing as prestige, yet at the same time he recognised the reality that it was precisely through prestige that a certain degree of order and peace was maintained. Furthermore, what made Jouslain unique was his wry realisation that it was Tytania herself who derived the greatest benefit from this reality.
“Peace, order and stability are not the ends of power, but its means.”
This is how Jouslain once characterised the reality of “Pax Tytania”. That said, he didn’t believe this to be an entirely accurate assessment. He was merely shedding light from a different angle on Tytania’s own assertion that “peace exists only because of Tytania”.
On the 15th of August, Tytania’s Supreme Council convened at Uraniborg. Those in attendance were Clanner Ajman and the Four Dukes. Jouslain took his seat beside Ariabert.
Ariabert was generally regarded as the leading figure amongst the Four Dukes of Tytania and did not possess a mind as richly nuanced as Jouslain’s. Of course, Ariabert was by no means incompetent nor of limited intellect, and few in the universe could handle matters with his composure, whether as the commander of a great army or as an administrator of an organisation.
While he may lack a certain degree of originality, once he acknowledged another’s idea, he could flexibly accept it and adapt it in the best possible way. At the very least, he has never failed twice in a row, and he has proven to possess the calibre to make amends for his failures and grow as a result.
“Zarlisch would not have handled it this fashion. Compared to Ariabert’s talents, Zarlisch is merely a ruthless general.”
This was Jouslain’s assessment, although in Zarlisch’s case, even when considered as a mere brave general, he was still far from ordinary. Had Zarlisch been supported by a staff officer with outstanding strategic thinking, he might literally have conquered the entire universe through sheer force of ability and even established a unified dynasty. But Zarlisch’s likes and dislikes towards others were all too evident: he favoured simple, unassuming soldiers and detested those who possessed a more nuanced way of thinking without necessarily being schemers.
Consequently, Zarlisch’s ranks consisted solely of brave commanders and soldiers who, in a sense, were miniature versions of himself. This tendency to gather only a single type of person might be acceptable for a military commander, but it was unsuitable for Tytania’s supreme commander.
As for Jouslain himself, he was probably even less suited to the role of Tytania’s supreme commander than Zarlisch. Not because of a lack of talent or ability, but because of his temperament.
He saw too much, even things he needed not to see. Since it was an impossible for a human to perceive the entirety of all things, this meant that there were things he ought to see that he was failing to see. This was how Jouslain interpreted it. And that very tendency to engage in such thinking was likely to render him unfit to be the Tytania’s supreme commander.
Had he been incompetent in practical affairs, Jouslain could surely have stepped back from the mainstream of Tytania and taken up the role of a critic. However, Jouslain possessed extraordinary ability as a politician. Having been involved in the governance of more than ten nations, he had reformed administration and public finances, placed the right people in the right positions, and either appeased or neutralised opposition forces, thereby increasing and stabilising Tytania’s alliance network. In particular, his skill in intervening in countries in a state of civil strife to restore order and establish new systems was considered unrivalled.
Jouslain did not regard his own talents as particularly remarkable, nor did he place a great importance on the existence of Tytania itself. He recognised that they were merely passing through history, and that eternal glory was impossible.
“It is like a dinosaur. So mighty it cannot escape extinction,” he thought as he gazed into the distance, anticipating the day when that realisation would come to pass.
It was likely the ambitious mid-level executives who regarded Tytania as an absolute authority. To them, Tytania was not merely an organisation or a group, but a community bound by a shared destiny. Of course, Tytania was not a single entity, but rather a collective term encompassing the Landless Clanner’s domain, the retinues of the various dukes, the corporations and organisations they owned, and their private military forces. As personnel were exchanged between these entities, it was not uncommon for an unknown young man, once he sets foot on the ladder of advancement, to become a key figure at the level of a stellar system state by middle age.
Those who prided themselves on their talent, those harbouring ambitions of advancement, and those who wished to make their mark on the world, would all flock to gather under the Tytanian coat of arms. The abundance and quality of talent maintained there far surpassed that of groups of nations possessing only nominal sovereignty. This wealth of human resources was also one of the pillars underpinning Tytania’s might.
Tytania cherished talent and ambition. Provided they did not undermine her rule. Although a clear boundary existed, for the vast majority of people it lied beyond the horizon. At least in relative terms, Tytania was generous and remained a destination that held a certain allure for the talented.
Of course, there were differing views. Ultimately, Jouslain could not help but feel that it was merely a gathering of people who were simply seeking the shelter of a great tree. He was not generally regarded as a particularly difficult person, but he simply could not bring himself to feel any favour towards the sort of people who fawned over those in power. Given that was himself close to the pinnacle of power, this sentiment was clearly a contradiction in terms and at odds with the “virtue” of tolerance expected of those in authority.
For the time being, Jouslain had not yet been driven by the need to desperately reconcile that contradiction. He did not yet know what stance he would adopt should he ever be faced with such a necessity.
“Lord Jouslain , someone as overly fastidious as you will never be able to build a circle of advisors.”
Ariabert was the one who made that observation. Ariabert had his own perspective on the matter. In this world, there were many who possessed knowledge and talent yet were unable to put them to use. Was it not the duty of those in power and position to provide them with a platform on which to demonstrate their talents?
“We shouldn’t take issue of their character. It is up to us to provide them with a place to exercise their talents and provide them financial security. In turn, they use their talents for the sake of Tytania. I do not think that anything else matters more.”
“But Lord Ariabert, is it not character that ultimately governs over one’s talents?”
This was the counter-argument Jouslain had offered, though he was not seriously raising an objection. He simply fancied debating with Ariabert. In truth, until very recently, Jouslain had not held his relative Ariabert in particularly high regard. While he possessed well-organised and orderly talents in both the arts and martial arts, he had considered him nothing more than a model student lacking in individuality.
His view changed after witnessing how, following his defeat at the hands of Fan Hyulick, Ariabert had demonstrated extraordinary flexibility and resilience to regain the ground he had lost. He thought of it as Ariabert’s true worth finally coming to light.
However, they were given no time to continue their discussion. They fell silent, rose to their feet, and placed their right fists against their left shoulders, performing the Tytanian salute. Ajman, the Landless Clanner and head of the Tytania clan, had entered the room.
Ajman’s appearance was such that it could easily have been carved into a sculpture. The title of that sculpture would undoubtedly be “Dominion and Authority”. Both his gaze and the line of his mouth possessed a combination of sharpness and strength, while his demeanour embodied, so to speak, a dignified severity. It was the bearing of a supreme commander whom all of Tytania could not help but greet in solemn silence. Although he could still be described as young in terms of age, the gravitas of his bearing had the effect of adding years to his appearance, making him seem older than he actually was. He was forty years of age, yet possessed a certain air of solemnity.
The Landless Clanner Ajman was the uncrowned overlord of the universe; his power, strength and prestige stood above those of all other kings. While he led a family life as a working adult, he also maintained relationships with various mistresses.
If there were to be a prevailing cultural norm regarding romantic relationships in Tytania, it could hardly be described as progressive, and would inevitably be criticised as patriarchal. Since ascending as Clanner, Ajman had all but ceased sexual relations with his main wife, instead having beautiful women presented to him from the nobility and elite of various nations, filling his bedchamber with a profusion of blossoms. He already had sired children out of wedlock.
“I wonder what sort of expression that stern and caustic supreme commander of Tytania wears when he embraces a woman.”
Such rumours abounded both within and outside Tytania, but they never grew beyond mere whispers. Whatever Ajman might be like in his bedchamber, the fact that he was a stern and caustic ruler the moment he stepped out of it was beyond dispute.
Originally, the qualities required of a ruler of Tytania were leadership, foresight and decisiveness, not sexual morality. Whether one was lustful or the opposite, such matters were entirely unrelated to one’s competence as a ruler. However, if debauchery were to be taken to extremes, it would constitute grounds for disqualification from rulership. Someone who would use his position of power to take a subordinate’s wife would naturally incur hatred and resentment, and be deemed to lack the personal qualities required for leadership. Furthermore, to display nothing but a lecherous disposition while lacking any real ability would merely invite ridicule.
In any case, Ajman indulged in his amorous pursuits within the bounds acceptable to a man of power, and, as things stood, had not caused any disruption whatsoever.
III
After some ten agenda items and matters had been dealt with at the conference table, and following a short break, the most important motion of the day was tabled. It concerned Fan Hyulick, who had now become a major public enemy of Tytania.
For those who harboured hostility or antipathy towards Tytania, the name Fan Hyulick had come to carry considerable weight. Regardless of one’s personal feelings, this fact could not be ignored. It appeared that once a person has achieved great renown, they must bear that burden and tread a path somewhat different from their original intentions.
From Jouslain’s perspective, Fan Hyulick seemed less like a brazen rebel and more like a bewildered novice actor. The reality might be different, but looking at his career, this is what came to mind, and Jouslain couldn’t help but have a wry smile as he felt some faint sympathy. Of course, this was not an opinion he would voice aloud.
Ironically, under these circumstances, Tytania was also suffering the consequences. Whatever the sequence of events, it remained a fact that Fan Hyulick murdered a member of the Tytania clan, and for the sake of its prestige and honour Tytania had no choice but to arrest and execute him. If one would dare put it this way, all for the sake of one mere person, Count Arses Tytania.
Although Arses himself had voiced his discontent while alive, his character was not recognised as having any value whatsoever within the Tytania clan. Even an incompetent could be liked by others, and there were capable individuals who were disliked. Arses happened to be neither, and the only person who mourned his untimely demise was his mother.
For the supporters of Tytania, Arses’ death in itself was of no consequence. What mattered was the fact that his death had been imposed upon him by others. Those bearing the Tytania surname must have their lives and deaths determined solely by others bearing the same surname. It was that very pride that proved that Tytania was the sovereign ruler of the entire universe. This pride was to be strictly upheld. No matter the cost.
Zarlisch, having been granted the floor, leaned his massive frame halfway across the conference table as he petitioned the Clanner. He requested to be appointed the person in charge of executing Fan Hyulick, the man who had killed his younger brother.
“Lord Zarlisch, your wish is perfectly reasonable. You have a good reason to take this matter more seriously than anyone else.”
Hearing Clanner Ajman’s response, Zarlisch’s eyes sparkled.
“Then, may I be entrusted with the life or death of that lawless scoundrel, Fan Hyulick?”
“Well, it is most gratifying when hope leads to enthusiasm, but that does not necessarily guarantee success. Unfortunately, excessive zeal tends to render one’s abilities ineffective.”
Although Clanner Ajman’s voice was not exactly venomous, it lacked warmth. His almost inorganic coldness was by no means the product of personal malice, yet Zarlisch could not help but break out in a cold sweat. The vast expanse of skin covering the burly man’s body had hardened with tension.
“Your Clanner Highness’ concerns are entirely justified, but I, though unworthy, pride myself on being more suited to this task than any of the other lords. The sin of allowing that unscrupulous traitor Fan Hyulick act as he pleased lies with my brother’s inaction and incompetence. I therefore humbly request that you allow me, as his elder brother, to atone for his sin.”
“It is indeed a misfortune for this Fan Hyulick to be regarded as a direct enemy of the peerlessly valiant Lord Zarlisch.”
The Clanner’s voice flowed gently through the sea of silence in which the dukes sat. Even when disguised as a mere jest, his remarks often carried grave implications, so they could not react carelessly.
“It is inevitable that Fan Hyulick and his followers will be wiped out. Lord Zarlisch, there is nothing wrong with you taking on that task, but…”
“Is there truly no possibility whatsoever of welcoming him into the ranks of Tytania, Your Highness?”
It was Ariabert who voiced this opinion, but he was immediately met with opposition.
“It is too late to bring this up now. He has already rejected the hand of friendship extended by Tytania, and has even gone so far as to murder a man bearing the Tytania surname and title. If we were to seek reconciliation at this late stage, the authority of Tytania would be called into question.”
Idris’ tone had grown fierce, as if scorched by fire.
“Fan Hyulick must be made to atone for his crimes. There is no other option. Talents of the calibre of Fan Hyulick can surely be found in abundance as long as we look for them. There is no reason to put his talents to use if at the expense of Tytania’s authority.”
Rather, on this occasion, in order to further strengthen Tytania’s unity and to demonstrate Tytania’s resolve to the outside world, Fan Hyulick’s faction should be thoroughly hunted down and subjected to severe punishment. That was the gist of Idris’ argument. He excelled in passionate oratory, even more than Ariabert or Zarlisch, and although the was youngest, he appeared to be leading the proceedings.
Jouslain silently watched this scene unfold.
“He is even stiffer than Balamy.”
Just as Princess Lydia had remarked, Idris’ sharp edges were all too evident. If he could channel that fiery spirit and ambition, and embrace them with a mature character, might Idris not naturally become a figure of such calibre as to rule all of Tytania? Such were Jouslain’s thoughts, though there was no guarantee that his judgement of character was completely accurate.
“Mayhap Idris would have been happier had he not been born into Tytania’s ruling class.” sometimes thought Jouslain.
It was neither a paradox nor irony. Whenever he encountered Idris’ intense drive for self-improvement and competitive spirit, he couldn’t help but feel this way.
Had Idris been born into an obscure family, he would have thrown himself into Tytania’s affairs as his ambition dictated, achieved remarkable feats, raced up the ladder of success, and felt a deep sense of fulfilment in the process. With every step he climbed, he would undoubtedly have set his sights even higher, fuelling his vitality.
However, Idris was born into the main line of the Tytania clan, a house of great prestige, and was already one of the Four Dukes. Above him only stood the throne of the Landless Clanner, the supreme leader of the Tytania clan. Naturally, Idris had to think, act, plot and strive with that as his goal. It was probably Idris’ karma[3] that he could not find fulfilment in the approach taken by Ariabert of calmly and steadily fulfilling one’s duties and doing one’s utmost within the current circumstances.
Jouslain didn’t believe that Idris possessed the talent and calibre he boasted of. But of course, Idris was not incompetent, and he possessed sufficient ability to have rise from nothing and become the sovereign of a star-spanning nation. A few days ago, he failed in his mission to use Count Arses Tytania as a decoy to wipe out Fan Hyulick’s faction. However, this had been a mere tactical blunder at the regional level, and there would be plenty of opportunities to make up for that lost ground in the future. The scale of the underlying power he has accumulated is simply on a different level to that of Fan Hyulick, who would be plunged to the brink of ruin were he to suffer a single defeat.
It would be no surprise if Idris were to become Tytania’s next Clanner. However, should that happen, the atmosphere in Tytania would become stifling, and it would become a truly difficult place for someone like Jouslain to live in.
The Clanner’s gaze turned towards Jouslain. Glancing at the young duke who was tapping the tabletop silently with the back of his hand as he pondered, the Clanner addressed him in a voice laced with a hint of sarcasm:
“What are your thoughts, Lord Jouslain?”
Idris’ pride that was stung by those words. Jouslain had been silent for some time now. One should simply leave those who wished to remain silent to their own devices. Yet, the Clanner was specifically seeking his opinion; was it because he held Jouslain in high regard? Idris could not help but wonder. The Clanner’s gaze flitted towards Idris’ expression for just a fraction of a second.
In that brief moment, Jouslain brought his thoughts back to the reality of the situation, withdrew his hands from the table and sat up straight. In this instance, there was no need to say much, nor did Jouslain have any intention of doing so. He understood the Clanner’s intentions and saw no reason to object to them. And, while feeling a touch of shame at his own insight, he replied:
“I concur with Lord Zarlisch’s proposal. I believe that amongst all of us, Lord Zarlisch is the most suitable for this task.”
With this, Jouslain had provided the desired response to Zarlisch’s prior proposal. It would, as the saying goes, mean that he had “gained a favour”. Yet, that was but a trivial matter.
For Jouslain, it was the true intent behind the Clanner’s expressionless nod that was truly frightening. By entrusting the matter of Fan Hyulick to Zarlisch, the Clanner had reduced it to the Zarlisch family’s private affair. This meant that, should the situation change in the future, he could set aside Zarlisch and form an alliance with Fan Hyulick. Of course, should Zarlisch succeed in eliminating Fan Hyulick, this would remove a future formidable enemy, and would not result in a negative outcome for Tytania.
With the matter of Fan Hyulick settled, the discussion moved on to the next agenda item. Emperor Harsha VI of Vardana, whose ministers had been purged, was, naturally, deeply shaken and spending his days in anxiety. The question was what to do, since the situation could not simply be left unaddressed. When once more asked for his opinion, Jouslain replied:
“I believe it would be best to present a gift and appease His Majesty Harsha VI to some extent. After all, it was the rebellious ministers who were purged. We ought to demonstrate that Tytania harbours no ill will towards the Emperor.”
“You want to curry favour with the Emperor?” immediately interjected Idris with a blunt expression of doubt.
Jouslain countered once more:
“No need to put it in such terms. We are simply reassuring Harsha VI. If His Imperial Majesty’s position and state of mind are stable, there will be less scope for ambitious individuals to act recklessly. If the Vardana Imperial House is of even the slightest use to Tytania, I believe it is only natural to treat it accordingly.”
Tytania had never disregarded formality and had always observed the proper etiquette towards the Vardana Imperial House. Legally speaking, Tytania submitted herself to being a vassal of the Emperor of Vardana, and since she had accepted this position, it was only proper to observe the courtesies that came with it. If others regarded this as hypocrisy, if was their prerogative. Indeed, it was undoubtedly hypocrisy.
“I endorse Lord Jouslain’s proposal. As far as Tytania is concerned, we have no intention of seeking a confrontation with the Vardana Imperial House.”
Clanner Ajman delivered his verdict, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm as he continued:
“There are many who criticise Tytania, but stinginess has never once been cited as a reason. We shall present His Majesty Harsha VI with a generous gift. When the opportunity arises.”
“Will money and gifts truly console the Emperor’s heart?”
Ariabert voiced his common-sense opinion, but Clanner Ajman laughed heartily and dismissed his concern.
“That is a matter for the Emperor’s own mind. Even if he finds no solace, that is a matter for him to resolve. It is none of our concern.”
IV
Many tribute gifts were delivered from Tytania to Emperor Harsha VI, the nominal sovereign of the Vardana Empire. This took place on the 20th of August, which coincided with the anniversary of Harsha VI’s coronation. The Landless Clanner Ajman visited the court in person and delivered a brief congratulatory address, though this in itself was of no particular significance.
After the Clanner’s departure, a vast array of gifts remained at the court. Jewels, precious metalworks, paintings, sculptures, furs, a pleasure yacht, and two thoroughbred horses. A five million dakar donation was also made to the Imperial Museum. Truly, no one could accuse Tytania of being stingy. Yet the Emperor was not impressed.
“Hah, trying to win my favour with money and gifts? The usual Tytanian approach. Judging the hearts of others by their own values.”
Harsha VI attempted to infuse his voice with contempt but failed, his lips twitching insensitively. Tytania was simply too immense a presence to be treated with contempt.
If one could merely resign oneself to the status of a puppet of Tytania, the position of Emperor of the Vardana Empire might well become the object of others’ envy. Although merely formal, courtesy and respect were paid in full, and one could indulge in every luxury in one’s private life. Should any major national crisis arise, Tytania would handle it with her authority and military might. All the Emperor need do was to attend ceremonies and affix his seal and signature to imperial edicts.
Harsha VI’s father, Harsha V, who bore the same name, made no attempt to wrest real political power from Tytania’s grasp. He issued edicts as Tytania saw fit, appointed and dismissed ministers, and remained, from start to finish, a figure whose sole purpose was to legitimise Tytania’s interests and actions. Having renounced his desire for and attachment to earthly power, he found happiness in other pursuits. Tytania provided him with several beautiful women, and he devoted himself to the scholarly study of classical theatre, authoring eight scholarly works during his lifetime. All of these were regarded as masterpieces, underpinned by rigorous scholarship, extensive knowledge and keen analytical skills. While there was no doubt that he was gifted with intellect, he never applied it to the realm of state affairs. Was this something to be regretted?
However, during Harsha V’s thirty-year reign, the Vardana Empire enjoyed stability across all political, military, economic and social spheres under Tytania’s leadership. During his reign, not a single minister was murdered or executed, and the only punishments meted out were imprisonment and exile. There were only three military campaigns, large and small, all of which took place in outer space on the empire’s periphery, and they resulted in no civilian casualties. Apart from this, there were numerous instances in which Tytania’s private militias engaged in combat for Tytanian interests, but these need not be included in the count.
Thus, during the reign of Harsha V, peace was largely maintained, and there was no disruption to the lives of the people. Repression of the anti-Tytania movements was also eased, and, to use a conventional expression, “the people enjoyed an era of peace”. Harsha V once spoke indirectly about his position, which had been that of a puppet of Tytania from start to finish:
“The authority of the Vardana Imperial House is of no concern to the people.”
He never uttered any further words to justify himself.
His son, Harsha VI, was unable to adopt the same mindset as his father. The cracks in his resolve were reflected within the palace. Anti-Tytania movements were frequently instigated, and each time they were suppressed with bloodshed.
“That man, Fan Hyulick, perhaps he could free me from Tytania’s shackles. Might it be possible to win him over to our side?”
Harsha VI shuddered at his own thoughts. His resentment towards Tytania had been building up over a long period, and it now seemed as though the nebulous resentment within him had taken on a definite direction. The only person who knew what was in the Emperor’s heart was Empress Aisha, but she did not agree with her husband.
“Your Majesty, I understand your distress, but such thoughts are nothing but an illusion. Please cast aside these doubts.”
Empress Aisha was three years younger than her husband and was now thirty-one. During their six years of marriage, they had produced one son and one daughter. She was the daughter of a lower-ranking noble of the Empire, neither particularly striking in appearance nor exceptionally gifted. Recently, she had even begun to show signs of becoming overweight. However, it seemed that her depth of thought surpassed that of her husband.
“Let us speak hypothetically. Let us imagine that this man named Fan Hyulick were to succeed in overthrowing Tytania, what guarantee is there that he would not become a second Tytania? He may well hate Tytania, but he has no reason to feel any loyalty to our Vardana Empire.”
Inviting in a wild beast to drive out a thief. Such folly must not be committed. Empress Aisha offered this counsel, and Harsha VI was forced to acknowledge its validity.
However, as is the case with many humans, a rational conclusion failed to satisfy his emotions. Deep within the Emperor’s heart, a vague, formless discontent lingered, gradually intensifying and beginning to grow. It would not take long before this led to the rationalisation of his impulse: “If I am going to regret it anyway, better to regret doing it than not doing it…”
According to the sarcastic observation of Duke Jouslain Tytania, Tytania was a hotbed of second-rate talent. Among this gathering of talent was a man in his mid-forties named Donald Farah. He was a figure of the utmost ordinariness, with no distinguishing features other than appearing slightly younger than his actual age.
This man had become an indispensable figure in Tytania by virtue of specialising in a single skill. This skill was not diplomacy, administration, finance or military affairs, nor, of course, scholarship or the arts. His skill was elections.
His schedule detailed, down to the day, month and year, on which planets elections for heads of state or parliaments were to be held, extending as far as twenty years into the future. He gathered and analysed every last detail of information regarding the electoral landscape and the movements of candidates, and made predictions about the results. If his predictions favoured Tytania, that was sufficient; if they did not, he took action to turn the tide in her favour. He manipulated information, distributed money, offered inducements, and even resorted to intimidation and violence. He spent most of the year travelling between star systems where elections are being held, and Clanner Ajman even lent him a dedicated spaceship for this purpose.
Although Farah’s official title was merely that of a Counsellor of the Clanner’s Court, it was said that the number of politicians who had gained or lost their positions as a result of his interference in elections was enough to fill an entire biographical encyclopaedia.
Interfering in elections required vast sums of money. Farah was provided with an almost limitless supply of funds for his activities. A pipe was connected directly to Tytania’s vaults, and simply turning the tap would cause vast quantities of gold coins and banknotes to pour out. In the process of doling out those funds, there were countless opportunities to slip a certain amount into his own pocket. If he were to embezzle even just 0.1% of the campaign funds, Farah could live a life fit for a prince. Even then, the obstinate Ajman man would hardly take offence.
Yet, to this day, Farah had never slipped even a single copper coin into his own pocket. While it was true that, as a Counsellor of the Clanner’s Court, he earned a handsome salary, he must nonetheless be described as incorruptible. This served to heighten the trust placed in him by Tytania’s central authorities. There were plenty of petty, despicable scoundrels who exploit elections to line their own pockets and revel in the delusion that they are influencing the political landscape. Farah drew a clear line between himself and such scum. While he would utilise them to achieve his ends, he held them in contempt and never sought to become too familiar with them.
“Farah is the greatest democrat in the entire universe. There is surely no other man who loves the electoral system quite as much as he does.”
Clanner Ajman had once made this remark with a wry smile.
Farah’s passion and interest in elections were so pure that even the stern and dignified Ajman could not help but smile wryly. If the electoral system were to vanish from human society and the world were to descend into despotism, Farah would have no choice but to either take his own life out of despair or become a radical revolutionary to overthrow such tyranny.
It was this very Donald Farah who had discovered Fan Hyulick, Tytania’s public enemy, on planet Bargash.
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